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Entries for January 2014

Dr. Kathy Townsend, the lead scientist on Earthwatch’s Project Manta expedition, is urging Australians to do more than just enjoy the ocean this summer (December through February in the Southern Hemisphere). She has asked divers and snorkelers along Australia’s east and west coasts to photograph the undersides of manta rays, each of which has unique markings on its belly, so scientists can identify and protect more of these threatened creatures.

The Earthwatch Community Fellows program helps locals get actively involved in our expeditions, enabling them to conserve the habitat in their own backyards. It builds and nurtures trust between the scientists and the community—an invaluable step that can go a long way in fragile environments.